Three Miami Teenagers Charged as Adults Following Brutal Assault on 12-Year-Old Girl in Community Garden

Three teenagers face adult charges in Miami for the rape of a 12-year-old girl in a community garden. Read the full details of the June 2025 assault.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 3, 2026, 6:23 AM EST

Source: The information in this article was sourced from CBS Miami

Prosecution Elevated to Adult Court

The City of Miami Police Department confirmed that the case, initially processed within the juvenile system, was upgraded to adult status late last week. Among those charged are 13-year-old Nelson Nuñez and 12-year-old Jushia Jones, both of whom appeared in bond court on Friday. A spokesperson for the Miami Police Department, Mike Vega, stated that the severity of the allegations prompted the transition to the adult legal framework, a rare move for defendants as young as 12 and 13. The decision ensures that, if convicted, the teenagers will face significantly harsher penalties than those typically available in the juvenile justice system.

Details of the June 2025 Incident

The charges stem from a June 18, 2025, assault at the Green Haven Project, a community garden located near NW 2nd Avenue and 11th Street in Miami. According to arrest reports, the 12-year-old victim was walking home when she was intercepted by the suspects and pulled toward a sofa located between buildings. Police allege that while Jushia Jones and a third suspect held the girl’s hands, Nelson Nuñez sexually assaulted her. The assault was described as particularly brutal, with law enforcement officials detailing how the boys attempted to quiet the victim’s screams for help by forcing rocks from the ground into her mouth.

Search Continues for Third Suspect

While Nuñez and Jones are currently in custody, a third suspect, a 15-year-old boy, remains at large. Investigators believe the teenager has fled the state, and a warrant has been issued for his arrest. The trio was initially arrested just one day after the assault occurred, following a search initiated by the victim's father, who was calling out for her in the vicinity of the community garden. Police spokesperson Mike Vega described the incident as "heartbreaking," noting the long-term emotional trauma the young victim is expected to endure due to the nature of the attack.